Planting Many Seeds

The lead photo this month is emblematic of the work of Center for Children's Happiness. The woman at the center of the photo is Ms. Osanai Mieko of Japan, who chose to believe in CCH Director Mech Sokha long before there even was a Center for Children's Happiness. Through the patronage of Ms. Mieko and her NGO, Japan Team for Young Human Power (JHP), Sokha was able to begin the work of building a successful orphanage. Many seeds were planted. Here Ms. Mieko enjoys some of the fruits of her efforts.

CCH continues to plant many seeds in many "garden plots"--- Education, social involvement, skills of self-reliance, all watered by daily care of a hard working staff.

Core Education Programs

Public School and Extra Tutoring---Since its inception, CCH has enrolled all of its children in Cambodian public schools, and has provided supplemental, after school tutoring done by CCH staff. Due to such extra help, CCH students routinely score at or near the top of their classes in public schools.

CCH Computer Training---In the past year, CCH has received generous funding to set up a computer lab at the CCH 2 facility, which provides many students with training in basic computer skills.

High Quality English Language Training--- Starting in January 2008, 10-15 students will be receiving high quality English language training at the well regarded Australian Center for Education (ACE) in Phnom Penh.

Active Learning Skills--- At left, Director Sokha supervises a research and report writing class for 6th graders. At right, CCH students read on their own at the CCH library. These activities seek to encourage abilities in self-directed, active learning.

International School Training--- Pannasastra University, the most well regarded institution of higher learning in Phnom Penh, also has a college preparatory private school called Pannasastra International School. The level of education at PIS is greater than in Cambodian public schools, classes are taught in English, and the hours of instruction span a full day, rather than a half day, as it public school. Plans are well under way now to enroll as many CCH children as possible at Pannasastra International School.

In addition avery lucky few CCH students receive enrollment at an internationally accredited college preparatory school which confers and International Baccalaureate degree. An IB degree qualifies such students for foreign study in Western countries. The photo above is of students at the Northbridge International School of Cambodia, where CCH plans to enroll one student in the coming school year. CCH already has two other students enrolled at other internationally accredited college prep programs.

Social Involvement Programs

CCH Road Show--- Going now for well over a year, the CCH Road Show performs at least twice a month, and sometimes more often. There are serious social purposes behind the effort---to spread information about trafficking, HIV/AIDS, drug abuse among teens, and problems of family violence. However, the message is delivered in an entertaining way to groups of children in poor villages near to Phnom Penh. Dramas, games, reading, art, and music all play a role. Among the greatest accomplisments of the Road Show---the practice of creativity and personal responsibility on the part of CCH students themselves.

Mekong Youth Network---CCH has collaborated for three years with the Mekong Youth Network training program of Mai Sai, Thailand, founded by the internationally known anti-trafficking activist, Sompop Jantraka. MYN trains young women from all over the Mekong region of Southeast Asia, so that they may return to their home countries to work on behalf of women's and children's rights. Pictured above, Mr. Sompop with Pen Dany, wife of Mech Sokha. Most of the young people in the photo are employees of CCH.

Youth Angels---Underway for about a year, some CCH students take responsibility for providing essential aid to elderly people who lack the basic necessities of life.

Self Reliance & Transition to Adulthood

A primary concern of the CCH program is to equip children for success in adulthood. To this end, several efforts are underway.

Life Planning sessions---Children as young as 10 are being encouraged to put on paper a "life plan," which includes career goals, steps needed to achieve these goals, and reflections on dangers which might prevent success.

CCH Restaurant--- A brand new effort already experiencing initial success is the CCH restaurant, situated in the newly rented Youth House facility. This enterprise operates wholly apart from CCH financially. That is, it is a true business, not dependent on any charitable donations. Rent, salaries, and supplies are all paid out of restaurant revenue. Things have started conservatively. The restaurant only opens in the mornings, and closes when the daily purchased food is all sold. This is a promising trial run for more self-sufficient enterprises.

CCH Computer Shop---A small computer shop open to the public has also been initiated on the ground floor of the multi-purpose building at CCH 1.

CCH Youth House---As featured in a recent issue of CCH Monthly Report, there is a new CCH Youth House, which has room, eventually, for as many as 30-40 graduating CCH youth, ages 18-23. The idea of the youth house is to provide a gradual easing of CCH students into the larger Cambodian society. Above, Sokha displays the sales contract signed to purchase a small parcel of land next to CCH 2 on which the permanent Youth House facility will ultimately be built, replacing the current rented facility.

Daily Life Care

None of these great programs could happen, however, without the day in day out efforts of CCH staff and volunteers to care for the 150 children at CCH and the Youth House.

Staff care for children---Pictured here, CCH staff members meet with several children at the CDCC facility, to discuss the needs of these children.

Volunteer programs---Above, college students from Long Beach State University in California, USA, carry out a volunteer art training project with kids at CDCC.

Welcoming and having fun with visitors---Many visiting groups come through CCH. Here kids have fun with a visiting Japanese group.

And finally.....

Just for fun, more wonderful faces at CCH:

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Contributors to this report:

Content: Mech Sokha & Elia Van Tuyl

English Editing and Layout: Elia Van Tuyl

Photos: Chin Sayorn, Elia Van Tuyl